Category: Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, October 12, 2026

The State of Qatar affirmed that digital transformation and artificial intelligence have become key drivers of economic and social development, enhancing services, boosting productivity, supporting decision-making, and accelerating progress toward sustainable development.

The statement was delivered by member of Qatar’s delegation to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly’s Second Committee Sheikh Khalid Abdulaziz Al-Thani, during discussions on Agenda Item 14, Information and Communications Technologies for Sustainable Development, at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

He stated that Qatar attaches great importance to advancing information and communications technology (ICT) and artificial intelligence within the framework of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Digital Agenda 2030. These initiatives aim to strengthen secure and sustainable digital infrastructure, promote economic diversification, and ensure digital inclusion.

He noted that Qatar is implementing its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, focusing on promoting scientific research, developing national capabilities, supporting AI applications across various sectors, and fostering partnerships. Initiatives such as GOV AI and TASMU Smart Qatar program contribute to accelerating digital transformation and improving the quality of public services.

He also highlighted Qatar’s substantial investment in digital infrastructure to support artificial intelligence, including fiber-optic networks, data centers, and cloud computing capabilities, noting that these investments lay the groundwork for expanding AI applications. In this context, he pointed to Qatar’s announcement in December 2025 of Qai, the national AI company, which aims to invest in infrastructure and advanced AI systems while supporting digital solutions across the public and private sectors.

He added that Qatar recognizes the pivotal role of global digital transformation in narrowing development gaps and stressed the importance of international cooperation in technology transfer, capacity building, digital infrastructure development, and ensuring affordable and secure access to technology. Such efforts would help ensure that technology contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, he said.

Sheikh Khalid Al-Thani also highlighted Qatar’s active participation in the UN process on AI governance, including its involvement in the first UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, held in Geneva in July 2026. He reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to harness technology and innovation in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Source: Government of Qatar

New York | October 12, 2026

The State of Qatar reaffirmed its commitment to working with the United Nations system and all partners to accelerate the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries (2022–2031), describing it as a global roadmap and an international platform for achieving sustainable development in least developed countries (LDCs).

This came in a statement delivered by member of the Qatari delegation Abdulaziz Yousef Jolo during the Second Committee’s meetings of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York, under Agenda Item 20, Groups of Countries in Special Situations.

Jolo noted that the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action (2022–2031) had reached a critical juncture amid mounting challenges related to debt, development financing, food security, climate change and conflict.

He reiterated Qatar’s commitment to supporting LDCs in achieving sustainable development, citing the country’s hosting of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Doha in March 2023, where Qatar pledged $60 million to support the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action and its outcomes.

He added that Qatar had sought to translate this commitment into practical partnerships and initiatives. In September 2025, the Qatar Fund for Development signed two agreements worth a total of $21 million with the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS). The agreements aim to support establishment of a food storage mechanism for LDCs and strengthen their resilience, while allocating $10 million to support the Office in implementing the Doha Programme of Action.

Jolo also highlighted Qatar’s hosting of a high-level meeting on Global Partnerships for the Sustainable and Resilient Graduation of Least Developed Countries in December 2025, held in partnership with UN-OHRLLS. He stressed that graduation from the LDC category should represent a sustainable development transition.

He explained that preparations were underway at all levels for the high-level meeting to conduct the midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action, scheduled to take place in Doha from March 25 to 27, 2027, in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution 80/150. Qatar views the review as a key international milestone for assessing progress, identifying gaps, renewing political and financial commitments, and agreeing on practical measures for the second half of the programme’s implementation, he said.

Jolo stressed that the success of the Doha Programme of Action is a shared responsibility that requires renewed international solidarity and more ambitious partnerships to help LDCs address structural challenges, achieve sustainable and inclusive development, and build resilience.

Source: Government of Qatar

Geneva | October 12, 2026

HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi participated in the opening session of the Geneva Peace Forum on Monday.

In his inaugural remarks, HE Al Khulaifi noted the importance of rules and standards governing mediation for peace, highlighting that, in terms of the State of Qatar’s experience in mediation, these rules and standards have become more important than ever.

Mediation isn’t merely a matter of bringing two parties into the same room; rather, it rests on trust, impartiality, confidentiality, inclusivity, and a genuine commitment to a peaceful settlement, HE Al Khulaifi said.

He added that these aren’t merely theoretical principles, but practical conditions that allow parties to take risks in pursuit of peace, test compromise solutions, and remain engaged in the negotiation process, even when reaching an agreement seems elusive.

HE the Minister of State noted that there are things that must be protected, notably the principles of mediation, the space for mediation itself, and multilateral peacebuilding efforts.

Wars being fought today are rarely settled by a decisive victory and are rarely resolved conclusively, HE Al Khulaifi remarked, explaining that the path to victory has narrowed and the path to agreement has nearly closed.

He said mediation is the means by which that path is kept open. For this reason, the space available for mediation must be protected. He also noted that dialogue requires a safe and secure political and physical space, and that the parties must be confident that entering negotiations won’t expose them to new risks.

HE Al Khulaifi explained that the pressures the State of Qatar has faced haven’t weakened its commitment to mediation; rather, they have further strengthened it.

  The more difficult dialogue becomes, the greater the need for mediation. And the more fragile the rules and standards governing mediation become, the greater Qatar’s responsibility to defend them, he said.

HE the Minister of State emphasized that the United Nations should remain focused and ready to defend mediation when it is at risk. He highlighted that this aligns with the United Nations Charter itself, as Article 33 provides for negotiation and mediation as means of the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Peaceful settlement isn’t an ad hoc measure within the international system or something external to it; rather, it is one of its fundamental pillars.

HE Al Khulaifi called on the international community to advance more rigorous rules and standards, as well as stronger legal guarantees to protect mediators. He reemphasized that such protection is in everyone’s interest: insofar as people are expected to help end wars, measures must also be in place to ensure their safety.

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, October 10, 2026

The State of Qatar underscored the importance of full compliance with obligations under disarmament conventions and agreements, as well as support for international efforts to refrain from conducting nuclear tests and halt the development and modernization of nuclear arsenals and other lethal weapons, in pursuit of global peace and security and to protect future generations and ecosystems from the threat posed by the proliferation of such weapons.

It expressed regret that the eleventh Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), held from April 27 to May 22, 2026, concluded without consensus on a substantive outcome document.

This came in a statement delivered by First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Talal Abdulaziz Al Naama, during the general debate of the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly at its 81st session, held at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Al Naama said that the State of Qatar significantly prioritizes the United Nations Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction, convened pursuant to General Assembly decision 73/546.

The State of Qatar supports the Sultanate of Oman’s presiding over the seventh session of the Conference, whose chairmanship will conclude in November 2026, Al Naama noted, stating that Qatar looks forward to the cooperation of all countries of the region to ensure the success of the Conference and achieve its intended goals of strengthening peace and security on both the regional and global stages, as well as to the State of Qatar assuming the presidency of the eighth session of the Conference.

In a related context, Al Naama reiterated the State of Qatar’s commitment to the inalienable right of all States parties to NPT to use atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

As part of the State of Qatar’s constant efforts to contribute to the elimination of chemical weapons, Al Naama referred to the adoption by the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), during its 112th session, convened in The Hague on Jul. 9, 2026, of the draft decision submitted by the State of Qatar on the reinstatement of the rights and privileges of the Syrian Arab Republic within the Organization.

He elaborated that the draft decision, which was co-sponsored by 66 States Parties, was an outgrowth of the diplomatic efforts undertaken by the State of Qatar through a series of consultations and initiatives that helped build broad consensus among the States Parties, ultimately paving the way for its adoption.

Since Feb. 28, 2026, the State of Qatar has condemned the Islamic Republic of Iran’s attacks using ballistic missiles and one-way attack drones against its sovereignty, territorial integrity and territorial waters, as well as against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of brotherly nations, stressing that these assaults constitute flagrant violations of international law, international humanitarian law and the Charter of the United Nations, Al Naama said.

Al Naama reiterated the State of Qatar’s position that it is important to comply with the provisions of Security Council resolution 2817 (2026), including those pertaining to navigational rights and freedoms in conformity with international law, particularly those related to critical maritime lanes.

He underlined that the State of Qatar’s priority is to contain escalation and unlock prospects for diplomatic efforts, indicating that the State of Qatar will continue its engagement with partners to bridge viewpoints and build common ground among the parties, ultimately reaching a peaceful resolution that safeguards lasting security, peace and stability in the region.

In addition, Al Naama recalled that the State of Qatar condemned the Houthi attack on Abha International and King Khalid International Airports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Oct.7, 2026, which led to casualties and material damage.

He further stressed that the State of Qatar considers this assault a grave violation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and a direct threat to regional security, as well as to the safety of civilians, civilian assets and air traffic, reaffirming the State of Qatar’s full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, October 09, 2026

The State of Qatar has called for the consistent application of international law without selectivity or double standards, stressing that the credibility of the international legal system depends on how its rules are enforced.

The remarks were delivered by Second Secretary at Qatar’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations Abdulaziz Al Sulaiti.

Addressing the 81st session of the UN General Assembly’s Sixth Committee, Al Sulaiti said that respect for the rule of law is not merely an aspiration stated in the Charter, but a firm commitment embedded in its purposes and principles.

The Sixth Committee deliberations addressed the rule of law at both national and international levels under agenda item 84.

The State of Qatar stressed the close relationship between the rule of law at both levels, saying each reinforced the other. It also highlighted the importance of dialogue between the Sixth Committee and the International Law Commission to ensure that the commission’s work reflects the practices and views of governments across different regions.

At the national level, Qatar pointed to the Ministry of Justice’s 2025–2030 strategic plan, launched in line with the Third National Development Strategy. The plan aims to develop an efficient justice system that promotes transparency and integrity.

Al Sulaiti said Qatar was working to strengthen institutions in line with international standards, ensure consistency between national legislation and international instruments, and expand programs to raise legal awareness and inform the public about rights and responsibilities.

He also highlighted Qatar’s regional and international role in promoting the rule of law, including its chairmanship of the Arab Permanent Committee on International Humanitarian Law under the League of Arab States. Qatar became the first country to chair the committee, established in 2025.

The statement also noted Qatar’s hosting, under its presidency, of the 11th Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, in December 2025.

Turning to regional security, Qatar reiterated its condemnation of attacks by Iran against its sovereignty, territorial integrity and territorial waters since February 28, as well as attacks affecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other Arab states.

It described the attacks as violations of international law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, and called for compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), including provisions concerning navigational rights and freedoms under international law, particularly along vital maritime routes.

Doha said its priority was to contain the escalation and create space for diplomatic efforts. It added that it would continue engaging with partners to bridge differences, build common ground between the parties and pursue a peaceful solution that safeguards regional security, peace and long-term stability.

The statement also condemned Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including the targeting of a power distribution station in Medina, following an attack targeting Mecca, as well as attacks on Riyadh and attempts to target civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Al Sulaiti reaffirmed the State of Qatar’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia.